Wheels of Degrassi fame died alone in a Hamilton rooming house

Hope, who was 35 at the time of his death, had not made contact with his family in more than two years. According to Christina Boulard, Hope’s former fiancée, rumours of the actor’s death had begun to circulate three years ago.

Bouchard told the star she and Hope’s brother, Danny, and his sister-in-law, Tracy, contacted Hamilton police in 2002 for help in locating the Degrassi star. Police confirmed to them in January that a record they had of a 2007 death was in fact Hope.

Meanwhile, Degrassi’s executive producers Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn have released a joint statement on the actor’s death, saying: “Neil made an important contribution to our lives, to the lives of our television team, who are like a family to us, and indeed to the live of many Canadians and others around the world who were influenced by Neil and the roles he played. His life was not an easy one, but the time he spent with us was a shining example of determination, hard work and hopeful optimism and he is sorely missed.”

Neil Hope was born Sept. 24, 1972, in Toronto. He starred on The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High School and Degrassi: The Next Generation. His last acting role was on a 2003 episode of The Next Generation titled “Should I Stay or Should I Go?”